Hydraulic column clamp



06E 1931. R. WILLIAMSON 1,825,986

HYDRAULIOCOLUMN CLAMP Filed April 16, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 $3M @Home 1 W+ MM g: gwweutoz 5, 1931- R. WILLIAMSON 5 HYDRAULI C COLUMN CLAMP Filed April 16, 1921 s. SheeCs-Sheet 2 Oct. 6, 1931. 1.. R. WILLIAMSON 1,325,986

I HYDRAULIC COLUMN CLAMP Filed April 16, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IEIU, ..1

Elnoemtoz Mme f atentedl Oct. 6,. 1931 UNETED tease LARKIN R. WILLIAMSON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CINCINNATI BIGKFORD TOOL COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO HYDRAULIC COLUMN CLAMP Application filed April 16,

This invention relates to improvements in machine tools. The general trend in machines of the type of which this invention is adapted to be applied has been to make the "f tool as complete a unit in itself as possible.

Various discoveries and improvements along this line have resulted in among other features the mounting of driving motors for the tools in or on the machine tool itself and is even often mounted on a movable part thereof, an example of this being an electric motor mounted on the arm of the drill press.

Through appropriate controls the motor has been gradually adapted to drive many of the various parts which heretofore were operated by external forces such as air lines throughout the manufacturing plants or line shafting and in many cases manual power.

Contemporaneously with the improvements making the tool more nearly an independent unit these tools have increased in size and have been made more flexible by reason of various elements being made adjustablethereby adapting the tools to capacities for larger and more varied work.

The increased size of many of the adjustable elements in the larger machines has made it impractical to longer make such adjustments manually and accordingly power means have been provided therefor. t the same time where the elements are made adjustable the increasing demand for machines which will operate with extreme precision has demanded that the arts be .securely clamped in place after adjustment. Owing to the size of these parts various novel power means have been developed for actuating these clamps and prominent among these power means has been fluid pressure operated devices.

Consistent with the various discoveries tending to make the machine tool a com lete unit in itself, clamps of this type have con operated directly from the main driving unit of the machine tool.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of novel means for operating such clamping devices by'means of fluid actuated devices driven from the main driving motor. Applicant has in other words provided a fluid.

1927. Serial N9. 184,352.

pressure and specifically hydraulic pressure means which receives its power from the driving motor.

While such hydraulic means are designed to be adapted to various machine tools they have peculiar advantages which make them particularly advantageous in a drilling machine having a movable arm whereby the hydraulic system may be completely mounted and incorporated in the movable arm. It is, therefore, one of the objects of this invention to provide such clamp operating means in a. drilling machine.

The stresses and strains which modern machine tools are required to operate under and 5 at the same time operate with extreme precision has necessitated the provision of adequate and dependable lubricating means for the operating gears and various mechanisms. The chief means for providing such lubrication as in other types of machines has been a positively driven pump. One of the objects of this invention is the provision of such lubricating means and its compact arrangement in connection with a movable major element of a machine herein disclosed as the arm of a large radial type drill.

As one of the objects of this invention there is provided a system whereby a single pump supplies fluid for serving a plurality of purposes. The necessity for providing clamping means and for providing lubricating means affords an excellent opportunity of utilizing such a single pump to great advantage, and it is accordingly one of the objects of this inven- 5 tion to provide a compact and simple unit having a fluid pump driven directly from the main power unit and designed to furnish a lubricant to the operating mechanism and for actuating a piston adapted to operate a clampmg means.

The pump being directly connected to the main driving unit which automatically operates ata constant speed furnishes a substan tially constant output and is operative when and only when the operating mechanism is in motion and therefore lubricant is furnished at the time when required.

' furnished directly from the pump all of such lubricant collecting in the single reservoir from which the pump draws its supply.

The provision of such a single unit enables the applicant to enclose practically the entire system in a casing which casing also includes the gearing thereby providing a reservoir for the lubricant, the pump in fact being partially immersed in such lubricant. Such a construction results in a very compact arrangement and one which lends itself readily to 1 ncorporation in the movable arm of a radial drill.

Another of the specific objects of this invention and as apart of the general compact arrangement resides in the specific mounting of the clamping motor in the radial drill arm, an opening being provided in the motor supporting bracket into which such clamping motor unit may be removably mounted and occupy- .ing space which otherwise would not be utilized and at the same time providing for a much more rigid and compact arrangement than the previous mounting means for such motors which consisted generally in attaching a fluid pressure cylinder by means of brackets to convenient places on the machine tool.

Other objects and advantages will be in part indicated in the following description and in part rendered apparent therefrom in connection with the annexed drawings.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to apprehend the underlying features hereof that they may embody the same in the various ways contemplated b this invention, drawings depicting a pre erred typical construction have been annexed as a part of this disclosure and, in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which drill.

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a radial Fig. 2 is a similar view of a portion thereof with parts of the casing broken away to disclose some of the interior operating mechanism. Fig. 3 is a detail cross sectional view of one of the hydraulic pump cylinders. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view disclosing the mounting of the clamping motor and various other details. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fi 4 U and Fig. 6 is a developed sectional view ta en maining portion of the column thereabove being concealed by the sleeve 12 rotatably mounted thereon. The sleeve 12 has the large radial arm 13 mounted thereon adapted to have the usual Vertical translatory movement and also being rotatable together with the sleeve 12 on the main sup orting post. The arm 13 has the usual spindle carrying saddle 14 mounted for movement along the arm 13. The arm 13 has a rearwardly extending portion or bracket 15 adapted to support a driv- 23 mounted on the shaft 24, which shaft 24 constitutes a crankshaft for a pair of pump cylinders 25 adapted to furnish fluid for a plurality of purposes to be later described.

The described gearing and pump are all mounted within the casing designated generally as 26 having a main cover 27 and a small hand-hole cover 28. The casing is fluid-tight and therefore serves a plurality of functions 7 such as a protective covering for the gearing to prevent objects coming in contact therewith, to keep out dust, to collect the lubricant supplied to the gearing and also acting as a reservoir or supply tank for the hydraulic fluid. Thus itmay be seen that the arrangement results in a very compact and neat construction which may be adapted with great advantage to being mounted on the movable drill arm as a complete unit.

The radial arm is adapted to be translated.

vertically along the column sleeve 12 by a Well known means which includes the vertical shaft 29 mounted to rotate with the sleeve 12 around the supporting post. The

vertical movement may be effected by rotation of the screw 29 in a nut mounted in the radial arm or conversely by holding the screw 29 stationary and rotating the nut mounted in the arm, either of such construction being a well known means.

The details of the pump comprise one or more cylinders, shown herein as having two, each cylinder having a piston 30 reciprocably mounted therein and connected thru the connecting rod 31 with the eccentric hearing 32 on the shaft 24; for operation thereby. The lower ends of the cylinders are adapted to be immersed in a hydraulic fluid and'are provided with a removable valve unit consisting of a valve cage 33 screw threaded into the bottom of the cylinder and having a check valve 34 mounted in such cage. An outlet check valve 35 permits fluid from the pump passing therethrough into the connection 36 common to both the cylinders from which it is conducted through the pipe 37 to the devices for which it is desired to be used.

It is apparentand within the conception of this invention to utilize this fluid in any manner desired and for the operation of such devices. as may be practical. As disclosed herein this fluid is utilized for the operation of'a motor 38 and also through suitable passages is led into contact with the operating gearing hereinbefore described.

The details of the fluid pressure motor 38 will now be described and consist in general of a cylinder 39 removably mounted in the bracket 15 and having a bearing 39* at its innerend .(see Fig. 4). The outer end of such a cylinder is provided with a shoulder 40 adapted tofit in the opening 41 of one side of the bracket. The cylinder is held in such bracket bymeans of cap screws 42. It may be seen that the arrangement shown provides a means for the ready removal of the fluid motor and'at the same time a rigid support therefor. The'location of this cylinder in the bracket 15 between the motor and the main column places it in a very advantageous position relative to the clamp to be operated and also'results in a support for the fluid motor which makes it very rigid and accurately positioned with respect to the means to be actuated hereinafter described.

The fluid cylinder has reciprocably mounted therein a piston 44 provided with suitable packing 45 at each end thereof. The central portion of said piston is adapted to have an .annular member 46 removably mounted thereon, said member 46 having rack teeth 47 at one side thereof arranged to mesh with teeth 48 on a segmental gear member 49 whereby reciprocation of the piston 44 results in rotation of the shaft 50 on which the segmental gear member 49 is splined.

The piston packing 45 is provided with holes 45 which permit the fluid to act directly on the flexible portion as shown in Fig. 4 and thereby render the packing extre'mely tight and leak proof. This is of especial value in a device of the kind where it may be desired to e. g. close off the valve means and maintain a pressure in the cylinder.

'The vertical shaft 50 constitutes a means for operating a clamp for clamping the sleeve 12 upon the main supporting post. The specific clamping means may be of any well known type such for example as is shown in the patent to Klausmeyer 1,070,815 and consists generally of the portion 51 of the sleeve 12 being split. The split ends of said sleeve are provided with projecting lugs which are adapted to be drawn together through rotation of an eccentric 52 integral with shaft 50 which eccentric 52 serves through a bolt passing through the lugs to draw the ends of the sleeve together and into tight engagement with the central post.

The details of this clamping means forms no part of this invention and it may be read- 11y seen that the motor 38 is also adapted to operate any clamping'device found necessary or desirable such for example as clampmg the arm 13 into engagement with the supporting sleeve 12 as is common in such type of drills.

The cylinder is provided with inlet and exhaust ports 53 and 54 at opposite ends thereof. The admission and exhaust of fluid through these ports is controlled in a manner hereinafter disclosed whereby the piston is positively operated in either direction.

The arm 49 being splined on the shaft 50 is free to move therealong as the arm 13 is moved vertically up or down.

The control means for the fluid pressure motor 38 comprises a valve casing 55 mounted on the arm, being supported thereon by bracket 56. A rotary valve is enclosed in said casing. Manual means for o erating the valve are provided and consist o a manual lever 58 splined on the shaft 59. The bearing portion 60 of lever 58 has an annular groove 61 therein in which a lug 62 rigid on the saddle frame is adapted to extend. The lever therefore moves along the arm with the saddle and is always conveniently located within ready reach of the operator.

.Enclosed within the valve casing in the oscillatory valve member 63 having the annular groove 64 therein passing completely around the valve member and the annular groove 65 extending thru the major portion of its circumference.

The conduit 37 extending from the pump communicates with the valve casing thru port 66 which'in turn is in constant communication with the annular groove 64. A radial passage 67 in the valve member places a central bore 68 in constant communication with the annular groove 64 and therefore with the pump. A second radial passage 69 in the same plane as the groove 65 extends to the circumference of the valve member and is adapted to be placed into communication with either the port 70 or 71. Port 7 0 communicates thru pipe 72 with port 54 in the clamping motor cylinder and port 71 communicates thru pipe 73 with port 53 in the clamping motor cylinder. A pipe 74 communicating thru port 75 with groove 65 provides an exhaust from the cylinder.

The valve is oscillated from the aforementioned lever 58 and shaft 59 thru bevel gears 76 and 77 and shaft 78 which latter shaft is rigidly connected to the valve member63.

A by-pass and relief valve 79 is connected thru a T-coupling 80 into the pump delivery pipe. A T-coupling 81 receives fluid directly from the pump thru the by-pass valve 79 and pipe 82 and also from the clamping motor thru the main valve and pipe 74. A pi e 83 leads this fluid into the upper part 0 the gear and pump casing where it is s rayed over the gearing or operating mec anism therein. It may be seen that this fluid may be led to any ortion of the machine where lubrication is esired. In the particular machine herein shown it has been found exceedingly advantageous to lead it to the operating mechanism within the arm where it affords ample lubrication for the mechanism therein and then drops to the bottom of the casing which casing being fluid tight at the bottom at least acts as a reservoir or sump for the fluid, the lower end of the pump cylinders being immersed therein. By the novel arrangement herein disclosed a complete and compact unit is located entirely pn or within the movable arm. The weight is comparatively small yet the clamping means is entirely independent of power external of V the machine such e. g. as the necessity of providing flexible fluid connections adapted to conduct pressure fluid from a factory line.

The machine tool is practically a complete unit in itself, no auxiliary power motors are required, the only requirement in the machine herein shown having an electric driving motor is a connection to a source of electric current.

The pressure of the fluid supplied to the clamping motor may be varied by adjustment of the valve 7 9 which may be any well known type of valve suitable for this purpose. In the type shown herein the set screw 84 constitutes an adjustable means for determining the relief pressure. The volume of the fluid furnished is a function of the size and number of cylinders and also of the ratio of the gearing and could be determined upon in accordance with the amount of lubricating oil required or the speed with which it is desired to operate the clamping device or whatever element of the machine was desired to be operated by a pressure fluid.

In the arrangement shown since the driving motor is usually constant speed the pump would also be constant speed, and would be independent of the speed of the drill spindle. The size of pump and circuit would be comparatively small and at any rate since the output and pressure are substantially constant couldbe of such a size as would closely approximate the requirements and therefore result in a very eflicient construction and operation.

Ordinarily the pump would be in constant communication with one end or other of the clamping motor cylinder. That is it would be maintained in either its clamped or unclamped position dependent upon the position of the valve. The valve, however, if desired could be moved to a position such that either of the ports leading to the cylinder could be blanked oif by moving the solid portion 85 over a port 70 or 71. By this adjustment a pressure could be maintained in either end of the cylinder after the driving means for the pump had ceased to function. Also, the groove could be placed in communication with both ends of the cylinder, if desired to relieve the cylinder of all pressure.

The valve and efliciency of the unit as a whole is enhanced by the fact that the exhaust from the cylinder also passes to the gearing for lubrication thereof. Ordinarily whenever the valve 63 is operated to cause a movement of the motor piston the entire output of the pump would probably be absorbed by the motor. However, since the exhaust therefrom would be exactly equal to the amount supplied the total amount of fluid passing thru the pipe 83to gearing or wherever it was desired to be utilized would remain constant, which is an important feature of this invention.

The operating fluid in the device as shown would be an oil having properties making it suitable for lubricating, but could be varied to suit the purposes to which the fluid passing thru pipe 83 were adapted to be utilized.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the ist of this invention that others can, by app ying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various utilizations by retaining one or more of the features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of either the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefor, such adaptations should be, and are intended to be, comprehended within the meaning and. range of equivalency of the following claims.

Having thus revealed this invention, I claim as new and desire to secure the following combinations and elements, or equivalents thereof, by Letters Patent of United States 1. A drilling machine combining a support; a major machine element movably mounted thereon; means for clamping said element in adjusted position; drill operating 2. In a machine tool having a support; a

a member movable thereon; gearing for the operation of the tool; a fluid pump connected to be operated by said gearing and adapted to supply a lubricating fluid under pressure; a hydraulic motor connected to be supplied with fluid from said pump means actuated by said motor and adapted to clamp said member to its support; relief means to provide for the excess fluid supplied by said pump over the requirements of said motor; and means for leading said excess fluid and the exhaust from said motor adjacent said gearing for lubrication of the latter.

3. In amachine tool having a support; a member movable thereon; a power unit and gearing driven by said power unit at a substantially constant speed for the operation of said tool; a pump connected to be driven by said gearing and adapted to supply a lub-' ricating fluid under a substantially constant pressure; a fluid motor connected to be operated by fluid from the pump; means actuated by said motor and adapted to clamp said member to its support; and relief and bypass means for said pump for maintaining the fluid under a substantially constant pressure and for leading the excess fluid to a point adjacent said gearing for lubricating the latter.

4. In a machine tool having operating mechanism; a supporting structure and a member movable thereon; a fluid pump operated at a substantially constant rate; a cylinder; a piston therein; means actuated by said piston for clamping said member on said supporting structure; fluid connections from said pump to said cylinder and control means therefor whereby fluid is admitted to said cylinder to move said piston and clamping means to a predetermined position and for maintaining such position; and bypass relief means for conducting'any excess fluid from said pump into contact with said operating mechanism, said fluid being of a nature to lubricate said mechanism.

5. A radial drilling machine combining a supporting column; a drill arm mounted on said column and movable with respect thereto; means for clamping said arm against said movement; a hydraulic motor mounted on said arm for operating said clamping mechanism; drill operating gearing mounted in said arm; and means mounted wholly on said arm for supplying hydraulic fluid to said motor comprising-a pump having a driving connection from said gearing; a hydraulic fluid reservoir; fluid connections from said reservoir to said pump and motor and from said pump to said hydraulic motor; and means for governing the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from said motor.

6. radial drilling machine combining a support; a drill arm structure adj ustably supported on said support; clamping means for securing said structure in adjusted position; drill operating mechanism; and hydraulic means mounted on said arm comprising a pump, a motor, operative connections between said motor and clamping means, a. reservoir, fluid conduit means for said motor connecting with said pump and with said reservoir, fluid connections from said pump to said drill operating mechanism for supplying lubricant thereto, and fluid control means for said motor.

7. In a drilling machine having a supporting base, a vertical supporting member rotatably mounted thereon and a drill arm mounted on said vertical member; means for clamping said vertical member on said base; power driven mechanism in said arm for operating said drill; means mounted in said arm for operating said clamping means comprising a hydraulic pump driven by said mechanism, a reservoir for supplying hydraulic fluid thereto, a pressure actuated device connected to receive fluid from said pump and operating connections therefrom to said clamping means; and means for supplying said drill operating mechanism with lubricant from said pump comprising a relief and by-pass means for said pump for maintaining the fluid under substantially constant pressure and for leading the excess fluid to said mechanism.

8. In a drilling machine having a supporting base; a Vertical member rotatably sup ported thereon and a radial tool-supporting arm mounted on said vertical member; said arm comprising a girdle surrounding said vertical member: a forwardly extending arm supporting drilling mechanism and a rearward extension having two spaced walls; a main power driving unit mounted on said extension, said extensioh having aligned openings in said walls; a fluid pressure motor cylinder detachably fitted in said openings and substantially enclosed between said walls; means for clamping said vertical member against movement on said base; and operating connections extending from said motor to said clamping means.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

LARKIN R. WILLIAMSON. 

